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‘Do it for the badge’: 20-year-old Blitzboks star shines bright during tough SVNS win
With their pool play clash with the United States hanging in the balance on Saturday afternoon, the Cape Town crowd let out a series of deafening cheers as a rising star made match-defining plays.
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20-year-old Quewin Nortje was the hero for the Blitzboks as they maintained their unbeaten start to 2023/24 on the opening day of the second SVNS leg of the season with a 26-14 win.
Nortje made a brilliant covering tackle to prevent a certain runaway try for the United States during the first half, and the youngster practically decided the match with a try assist later at the death.
The passionate South African crowd celebrated Nortje’s breathtaking passages of play with deafening cheers that echoed throughout the Cape Town venue – making memories that will never be forgotten by those in attendance.
With thousands of supporters watching on at the Cape Town Stadium, Nortje got “goosebumps” listening to their fandom as the flow on from the World Cup continues to grip the rugby nation.
“I just do it for the badge on my chest, that’s why I’m doing it,” Nortje told RugbyPass less than five minutes after the Blitzboks’ hard-fought win.
“Before every game the captain says, ‘We’re playing for each other and the badge on our chest.’
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“If you don’t work for the badge on your chest I don’t think you deserve a place in this team… doing everything for that badge and the people around you.”
The Blitzboks raced out to a 14-nil lead after tries to Ryan Oosthuizen and Rosko Specman on either side of half-time. They appeared to be sailing towards a big win, but the US had other ideas.
South African Justin Geduld was sent to the sin bin during the first half, and that one-player advantage inspired a rapid two-try blitz from American Lucas Lacamp.
Thousands cheered, chanted and celebrated every moment of the match while a palpable sense of nervousness echoed through the Western Cape venue.
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It appeared destined to come down to one moment of magic from a talented team, and with the ball finding Nortje in the 13th minute, that’s exactly what happened.
With all the pressure that comes with being a Blitzboks player at the Cape Town SVNS, Nortje thrived in the moment by lofting the ball over to Impi Visser who crossed for the match-winner in the 13th minute.
“I must say that when I was waiting for Rosko (Specman) to pass it I was worried that he was going to shoot on me the quick pass,” Nortje added during just his second international SVNS event.
“It went quickly through my mind, just do the basics well.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
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